WORRIED Crewe parents fear they could fall victim to identity fraudsters following the loss of more than 21,000 borough residents’ records in the Government’s child benefit blunder.

The figures, obtained by the Chronicle, show 21,365 people in Crewe and Nantwich – up to half the borough’s population – are at risk of fraud following the admission by Government ministers two CDs containing 25 million child benefit claimants’ details, including bank details, have been lost.

Mother-of-three Charlene Harris, of Underwood Lane, Crewe, said it was unacceptable to be left exposed to criminals.

Widow Mrs Harris, 26, whose husband Christopher died in May this year, must now look after three young daughters aged between two and eight in fear she could be easy prey for fraudsters.

She said: “It’s a real worry that somebody could be using my information, that it’s been allowed to happen at all.”

Joanne O’Neill, 16, who lives with her six-month-old son at Crewe’s Mother and Baby Unit in Oxford Street, added: “I couldn’t believe it, that someone could take my details.”

The revelation last week the data CDs had been lost by Her Majesty’s Revenues and Customs (HMRC) caused outcry across the UK, with chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling admitting it was an “extremely serious failure”.

Conservative parliamentary candidate for Crewe and Nantwich, Edward Timpson, said: “Families across Crewe and Nantwich are concerned about their personal security, not least their bank details potentially getting into the hands of criminals and fraudsters.”

A HMRC spokeswoman said: “We are currently writing to over seven million child benefit claimants. Letters are still being sent, so people shouldn’t worry if they haven’t yet received an apology. However, if people are concerned they should contact the child benefit helpline, open 8am to 8pm Monday to Sunday, on 0845 302 1444.”